Tales of Berseria - In Calamity's Wake

Chapter 1 - Halcyon

Rays of an afternoon sun bled through the autumn forests' tangerine leaves and shone upon a path that led through the tranquil woods. Two siblings journeyed the path, taking it towards a quaint little village nestled within the sea of orange, their home from which they embarked on a three-month-long journey through the boundless world of Desolation, taking in all of its sights and wonder, before returning to familiar ground, the eldest of the two suffering from a case of "Homesickness".

"mmmm, there's no place like home" the older girl hummed with a smile spread across her face, as her raven black hair drifted lightly in the evening wind. Her amber sights glanced to the forest aside, remembering hunting about in these woods every day for her family, the local prickleboars always made for nice meals, although she did get rather sick of eating them constantly. Perhaps she would bake a Quiche once they got back, for old time's sake.

"yeah, it's been so long, I wonder how everyone's doing" pondered her younger brother, shaggy blond hair covered his head, he parted a few strands obscuring his vision with a dismissive hand, the other clutched to a strap around his shoulder, which held his leather bag securely to his back, "you think they missed us, Velvet?"

His sister nodded with certainty "Of course they do, Laphi. I know that for sure, they must have been worried sick in fact. But when we get home I know they'll be proud of us, especially for you. So don't worry" she gave an assuring smile to the boy, who managed a relieved smile back.

The two trekked onward, until meeting the cobalt-coloured wooden gates of their village, tucked in between two giant hills. They allowed themselves entry and strolled into the quiet settlement known as Aball, Village of Longing. People were sparse about the place, the older sibling Velvet looked over to her right watching as a few men tended to the small stable where most of the village's livestock was kept.

Laphicet, her brother, did the same, gazing to his left where he noticed a customer purchasing at the local item shop just ahead, it seemed Aball was just the way they left it, much to their relief.

"Hey, I was wondering when you two would be back. It seems I missed you in Taliesin"

A familiar voice called to the two siblings, who spun their heads to the entrance of the village, watching a lean man dressed in a plain white and blue shirt and black pants walk in, a long silvery blond ponytail swaying behind him with every step.

"Arthur!" Velvet and Laphicet gasped out, brimming with excitement at the sight of their brother-in-law, who they rushed towards and tackled in a tight embrace.

The man named Arthur simply laughed, catching them both in his arms, managing to resist falling over, though the movement did take the wind out of him a little.

"We missed you," said Velvet, almost brought to tears from the reunion, Laphicet nodded.

"As did Celica and I, but I figured you two had everything under control. After all, I taught you everything I knew, Velvet" Arthur replied with a warm smile.

Velvet let go of the older man, stepping back and standing firm with a nod of her head and a smirk to hide her tearful expression "Arthur's Second Maxim: Don't give in to fear. Don't despair no matter what. I made sure to follow everything you taught me to a T."

Arthur chuckled, cracking a proud smile at his Students reciting "Then I had nothing to worry about"

The man's blue eyes cast a thoughtful glance over to a hesitant Laphicet, the boy was silent, his nervous attitude catching Arthur's attention " Laphi, I assume you also had the chance to expand your knowledge on the world and its workings as well?"